Vacation In The Uk

Vacation has been on people’s mind for some time now and most are planning for it. An online survey states that the top place for vacation is The UK. Looking at the reasons expatriates give for preferring the UK, safety and friendliness might be ranked first but culture and tradition are not far behind. British have been welcoming tourists from all over the world with open heart and great hospitality. Their smiling face is a trademark of their culture. And you will find a lot of things to do. With its amazing sites, tourist attractions and great food, you are surely going to love your visit in Britain.

You have always dreamed of visiting the UK, but you’ve never quite had the time or money to make it happen — or so you thought. You see, there’s this tiny little island nation (Northern Europe – Western Europe) that offers amazing benefits for anyone looking for a vacation that can be easy on the wallet, easy on the travel time, and enjoyable for all ages. In fact, thanks to the many and varied attractions in the UK, there’s not much a vacationer couldn’t enjoy and do on an affordable holiday there.

With so many of the best destinations for UK holidays and cheap breaks within easy reach, a staycation can seem like an outdated term. Of course, not everyone takes the opportunity to holiday at home, but in these days of digital distraction, and rising prices, perhaps more UK residents should be heading further afield – and staying closer to home.

After years of planning and saving, you finally made it. You arrived in the UK this morning, and now you are waiting outside the British Airways counter to pick up your rental car. It’s finally summer vacation! Now what? You need to get some sleep. By the time your flight gets in at 4:30am and you spend an hour fighting for a cab ride back to your hotel, there’s not much time left to do any sightseeing.

Consisting of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom (UK) has long been one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. The country’s appeal has much to do with its diverse scenery and rich cultural heritage. The best places to visit in the UK include everything from beautifully preserved country estates and castles, to its many world-class art galleries and museums.

One of the greatest pleasures of a UK vacation, however, is just how easy it is to explore this fascinating and diverse country. Thanks to its size – the UK could easily fit into the state of Texas (with room to spare) – you can base yourself in cities such as London or Liverpool and simply take a train, bus, or ferry to explore other areas.

From the nation’s capital, a 90-minute train ride is all it takes to access beautiful Salisbury, and a short bus ride or tour from here will take you to one of the country’s most recognizable attractions, Stonehenge. And if you want to hop between the Scottish cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, a one-hour train ride will deposit you in the heart of either city.

Plan your sightseeing adventures with our list of the best places to visit in the UK.

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1. London: The UK’s All-in-One Destination

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament on the banks of the River Thames

While it’s possible to plan a trip to the UK without visiting London, it’s certainly not to be advised. The nation’s sprawling capital boasts plenty of attractions to keep you busy and beautiful resorts and hotels to make you comfortable..

For those interested in learning more about the UK’s rich history, one of the top things to do in London is visit the Tower of London. Located beside the spectacular Tower Bridge on the banks of the River Thames, this former palace and prison includes highlights such as the iconic 1,000-year-old White Tower, with its fascinating displays of armor and weaponry, and the Jewel House, home to the Crown Jewels.

Fans of Britain’s Royal Family will want to head to Buckingham Palace, London’s Royal home since Queen Victoria’s reign. Here, you can enjoy the colorful pomp of the Changing of the Guard or even take a tour of the Palace’s State Rooms (be sure to book in advance as they’re only open for a few weeks each year).

The city’s Whitehall Road area is another must, where you’ll find Big Ben and the Parliament Buildings, as well as Westminster Abbey, scene of many a royal wedding. Another area to visit in London is South Kensington, home to the city’s best museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum, as well as the famous Harrods department store. Also check out Trafalgar Square, home to iconicNelson’s Column and the National Portrait Gallery.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in London: Best Areas & Hotels

2. Edinburgh: Scotland’s Capital

One of Scotland’s most attractive cities, the capital city of Edinburgh is also one of the UK’s most visited destinations. Popular for its many well-preserved historic buildings, Edinburgh is perhaps best known as the home of the majestic Edinburgh Castle.

Perched high above the old city on a rocky promontory, this 13th-century royal fortress includes highlights such as the famous One O’Clock Salute, held daily at Half Moon Battery, as well as the Scottish Crown Jewels in the Royal Palace. Also worth seeing are the Scottish National War Memorial and the famous Stone of Destiny (the Stone of Scone), only returned to Scotland after being held for 700 years in London.

From the castle, it’s easy to explore the other most important historic sites in the city, most notably the Old Town’s Royal Mile with its fine architecture, boutique shops, cafés, restaurants, and art galleries. It’s also where you’ll find the splendid old Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Other Edinburgh highlights include broad Princes Street, popular for its shopping and dining, as well as for the Royal Botanical Garden and the National Gallery of Scotland.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Edinburgh: Best Areas & Hotels

3. Roman-Era Bath

Although one of the UK’s smaller cities, Bath more than makes up for its diminutive size with a multitude of things to see and do. Named after its famous Roman Baths, this beautiful city has been luring visitors to its healing waters for more than 2,000 years.

Gushing from three hot springs, the water-known to consist of 43 different minerals, hence its curative properties-travels upwards some 3,048 meters at a rate of 275,000 gallons per day, before spilling out at a consistent 46.5 degrees Celsius. While it’s not possible to bathe in the original Roman Baths, a number of nearby spas — most notably the superb Thermae Bath Spa — offer guests the chance to enjoy the city’s famous waters.

In addition to its ancient history, Bath is also famous for its lovely Georgian architecture. The best examples can be seen along the magnificent, curved Royal Crescent, with its palatial townhomes. One of them, No.1 Royal Crescent, is now a museum that offers a fascinating peek into life during Georgian times.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Bath: Best Areas & Hotels

4. Ancient Stonehenge and Medieval Salisbury

One of the planet’s oldest World Heritage Sites, Stonehenge has been a place of pilgrimage for more than 4,500 years. It was believed to have been erected as a place of worship, but these days, the crowds consist of tourists drawn by the sheer scale of this magnificent monument to mankind’s ingenuity.

It’s a sprawling site, covering an area of more than 20 square kilometers and boasting a state-of-the-art visitor center. Here, you can catch a fascinating glimpse not only into the construction of Stonehenge, but also its history since then. Plan ahead and purchase a timed ticket for the day of your visit.

Be sure to also spend time exploring the nearby medieval city of Salisbury, located just 16 kilometers south of Stonehenge. You’ll be rewarded with a chance to visit one of the country’s most famous cathedrals, dating back to 1220 and home to an original Magna Carta. Afterwards, be sure to wander the old city center with its many fine churches and historic medieval architecture.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Salisbury

5. Royal Windsor

The historic town of Windsor, conveniently located a short train ride west of London, offers plenty of fun things to do for tourists. In addition to its lovely Thames-side setting and the many medieval half-timbered buildings along its quaint old cobblestone laneways, it’s also home to spectacular Windsor Castle, the most famous of the UK’s royal castles.

This grand old castle has served as the summer residence of British royalty for more than a millennium. It was started by William the Conqueror in 1078, and is the world’s largest inhabited castle. Highlights include the splendid State Apartments containing the Queen’s Gallery and dining hall, each with magnificently painted ceilings and woodcarvings, and St. George’s Chapel, famous as the home of the Knights and Ladies of the ancient Order of the Garter.

When you’ve had your fill of these historic buildings, be sure to also spend time exploring the castle’s large and beautiful grounds, almost 10 kilometers long. You’ll enjoy some truly memorable panoramic views over Windsor and its castle.

Other area attractions worth visiting include Legoland Windsor, a fun family resort set on 150 acres of parkland and just a short bus ride from the town center. Also worth seeing is Royal Ascot, the UK’s most famous horse-racing venue (try to time your trip to coincide with the Royal Meeting held each June).

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Windsor

6. Idyllic England: The Cotswolds

Village of Castle Combe in the Cotswolds

Covering almost 1,287 square kilometers of pristine countryside, the beautiful Cotswolds is undoubtedly one of the most photographed corners of England. Its unrivaled pastoral scenery has earned it a reputation as one of the most beautiful places in the UK, ranking highly on many a traveler’s bucket list.

Easy to get to from London and close to the popular tourist attractions of Bath and Bristol, the Cotswolds includes some of the best parts of the counties of Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire.

Travelers flock here to experience a true taste of rural English life, and to explore its many quaint villages and idyllic pasturelands. Be sure to include the idyllic village of Bourton-on-the-Water on your Cotswolds itinerary. Nicknamed the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” it has a charming river setting and well-preserved cottages, some dating back to the 15th century, that just beg to be photographed.

One of the most popular ways to do this is via the area’s extensive trail network, including the excellent 16-kilometer-long Cotswold Way. Other fun things to do include horseback riding and biking, or simply soaking up the history of popular market towns such as Castle Combe or Tetbury.

7. The Magical Lake District

Located in the northeast of England not far from the border with Scotland, the spectacular Lake District in Cumbria covers an area of 1,448 square kilometers. Not only is it considered one of the most magical places to visit in the UK for its beautiful scenery, its reputation as a place of romance and great culture will forever be associated with its most famous former resident, Beatrix Potter.

In fact, it was Potter who led the way with the conservation efforts that have preserved so much of the Lake District when she bequeathed her estate to the National Trust. Her one-time home near Sawrey, Hill Top, can (and should) be visited for its exhibits and artifacts.

Stone buildings in a Cotswold village — Stone buildings in the Lake District

Her legacy also set the stage for the establishment of Lake District National Park. Encompassing 12 of the country’s largest lakes (Windermere and Ullswater are the biggest), this beautiful region is another famous place in the UK that’s great to explore on foot. All told, the park boasts more than 3,218 kilometers of hiking and walking trails.

Other things to do in the Lake District include visiting Scafell Pike, at 978 meters the highest mountain in England. And, of course, there are no end of picturesque towns and villages to explore, including Grasmere.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in the Lake District

8. Medieval York and its Minster

One of northern England’s most popular tourist destinations, the medieval city of York, long the ecclesiastical capital of the Church of England, boasts one of the country’s most magnificent cathedrals. The country’s largest medieval church, York Minster can trace its roots back to the spread of Christianity in the 3rd century, although the splendid present Gothic structure was built almost 1,000 years later.

Highlights of a tour include the opportunity to view its 14th-century stained glass windows, plus the richly decorated interiors of the choir and north transept. Also worth a visit is the crypt, which contains parts of the original 11th-century church the cathedral now stands on.

Other landmarks worth exploring are the ancient City Walls, which stretch almost five kilometers around the old medieval city center. Along the way, you’ll enjoy excellent views over The Shambles, a narrow 14th-century roadway, famous for its fine old timber-framed buildings, many of which hang over the street below. It’s also an area known for its many restaurants and tearooms, as well as its many boutique shops and galleries.

York also boasts a number of major museums, the most popular being the National Railway Museum. Highlights of this museum’s vast collection include many fine old steam engines dating as far back as 1820, plus a unique collection of Royal Trains.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in York

The UK has long been a center of learning, with two of its most famous university towns also ranking highly as tourist destinations. An easy commute north of London — and just 128 kilometers apart — Cambridge and Oxford have for centuries been rivals for the title as the country’s top academic establishment, a rivalry celebrated during the famous rowing event, The Boat Race, which takes place each spring on the River Thames.

Despite this generally good-spirited rivalry, each location offers plenty of attractions to make them worthwhile additions to your UK travel itinerary. Highlights of a visit to Cambridge include the chance to wander the UK’s largest collection of preserved historic buildings, many of them located within an easy walk of Cambridge University‘s 31 colleges, the oldest of which was founded in 1284.

In addition to touring the stunning college grounds (only a handful of the university’s buildings offer tours), visitors to Cambridge should also take a punt along the River Cam, as well as explore the old town center.

Oxford University’s 38 colleges are equally attractive, each set around a quadrangle and several inner courtyards along with chapels, dining halls, libraries, and student accommodations (some offer unique tourist accommodation packages, too). Oxford highlights include the Carfax Tower, with its fine views over the city center, and the many fine old buildings of the town’s High Stree

Vacation In The Uk